Rom.8:17-18, ‘Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.’
Jesus has come not only to suffer and die for our sins (salvation); for the restoration of our relation with God (Mal.4:6) and finally, by His example shown us the way to receive glory in heaven.
He is first born (model) among many Brothers (Rom8:29) for us to follow. If we are join heirs with Jesus in the Heavenly places then we should also participate in His suffering on earth. His three years of ministry on earth has shown His children, what we have to do for God on earth when Jesus goes to the Father in heaven.
Suffering for Righteousness – Suffering for Glory in Heaven
What sufferings? Did not Christ say on the cross; ‘It is finished’. Why should we have to suffer again?
If you have suffered for sins and the consequences of your sins, then you deserved it because of the law of sowing and reaping. Whatever you sow you shall reap. Good trees bear good fruits. Gal. 6:7, ‘Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.’
Here we want to talk about suffering for righteousness, sufferings because you want to please God, you want to be Holy and blameless, you want to serve the people for God and because of your maturing in the Spirit Realm; to be more and more like Christ.
God is preparing us for eternity. Man looks at the present but God looks to eternity.
Human beings behave as if they will live forever, but there is a time frame for human beings to be on earth; to show their faithfulness to God. Psalm 90:10, ‘The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength.’ (Caterpillar to Butterfly story)
God will use this period of time on earth to purify and sanctify your souls for eternity.
All the blessings of prosperity and healing of the body (physical) will go with you into the grave when you die (temporal – does not produce fruit in the spiritual) but the healing of the soul and spirit will benefit you and bring glory for you in eternity. Righteous Suffering on earth will bring transformation and changes to your soul (purification); to be pure and blameless. The Perfect will of God. (Eph. 1:4).
Beyond Salvation
I thought we are saved by grace not by works? Yes, we are saved by grace not works. You do not have to do anything to achieve salvation.
Eph.2:8-9, ‘For by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.’
By the blood of the lamb you are washed and cleanse of your sins. If you are born of the Holy Spirit (born again), your name will be written in the Book of Life; when you die you will go to heaven.
Rom. 10:9, ‘That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’
Wait!!! This is not the end, but just the beginning. We are chosen not just to be saved. Now we go beyond salvation (no suffering, no works) to a step further to prove our faith and love for God in bearing fruits for Him. That’s a lot of work and work means suffering.
To work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12)
Jesus says in John. 15:16, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last…’ Bear fruit in serving Him on earth and fruits in developing our character; in Gal. 5:22 (Fruit of the Spirit); to be Christ-like, that will remain till eternity.
God also put testing and trials (tribulation) in our life for our advancement and maturity (Rom.8:28) in our soul and spirit, that we will suffer for righteousness and overcome it. Look at the New Testament saints, they even suffer unto death.
Four levels of faith shown in the Bible:-
1. Simple Faith - Believing God for provisions, health and wealth. Selfish and inward, it’s all about them. (Outer Court Christian)
2. Grateful Faith - Even when things are not happening as they have expected they still will continue to believe; thankful for their salvation.
Hab.3:17-18, ‘Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no
grapes on the vines, though the olive crops fails and the fields
produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no
cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be
joyful in God my Savior.
3. Sacrificial Faith -Even in suffering and deprivation. Believe that all things work for the good of those who love God and called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28) A good example is Job.
4. Selfless Faith - Willing to suffer unto death. Martyrdom -. Steven in the book of Acts, and most of the Apostles. Highest level of Faith.
As you can see from Matt. 24, (about the signs of the end of the age) and the Book of Revelation and compare to what is happening around the world today, the world is ending soon. God is on the move and He is in a hurry to purify His children. For those who do not know God, the sufferings will make them turn to God.
From Genesis, the creation of the world, to the Book of Revelation, God has been advancing and progressing. We are now already living in the last few chapters of the Living Bible; we have now gone beyond salvation.
Hear Ye!!! Hear Ye!!! This is the message in season to all Christians. Perhaps the saints that God has been destined to be saved is almost up as mentioned in Rev.6:9-17 (The Living Martyrs)
‘We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.’ (Rom.8:22). The whole creation groans for the return of the Messiah for what is happening around the world right now. We need a new world order under Christ Jesus reign.
Glory In Heaven.
I believe that those who have received salvation and do not bear fruit for God, nor allow God to purify them will still go to heaven but will not receive any rewards and glory in heaven. Perhaps they will just be ordinary citizens of heaven. (Phil. 3:20)
Daniel 12:3, ‘Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars for ever and ever.’ When Jesus returns, many will rise up like the stars in heaven (firmament), some shinning stars, some pale stars and some will be greater lights and some will be lesser lights.
God told Abraham, that his children will be as many as the stars in heaven. Stars do not have lights but a reflection of the brightness of the sun. How much glory you receive in heaven will be how much Christ-likeness you reflect in your soul and spirit.
There is reward in heaven waiting for us. There is also a government in heaven where positions have been reserved for you if you have been faithful. Perhaps Jesus will say, ‘Well done, my good servant, because you have been trustworthy, take charge of ten cities.’ (Luke 19:17). Amen.
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